mountain bike monday - Spot comes out of the doghouse!

He's back!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Well, it's been a long while since Spot was out on the trails! We were trying to think back to when we got MUTT. I think it was in the early Spring sometime! Actually, this is when the blog comes in handy! It was in April. So, it's been a while since Spot was out!



Back when I got MUTT, Dynamo had to strip most of Spot's parts off to build him up. So, Spot sat in the garage in pieces. Building bikes up takes time and money! And, remember...the lighter the components, the more expensive! So, my Stan's Crest wheels went on MUTT and the wheels that came with Spot orginally went back on him. And, let's just say...they are a little heavy! I can definitely tell the weight difference between Spot and MUTT.



So, out on the trail Spot and I had a little talk before starting. We agreed to be patient with one another. If you'll remember...my Spot is a belt drive single speed. So, that means one gear! And, after riding with 9 gears since April it was a little difficult at first.



Some of the hills that originally gave me trouble, but hadn't for a while, did. But, I am a better rider now, so I did notice that I attacked the hills differently...I knew when to stand, and I felt more powerful than when I first took Spot out a long time ago.



I did a lot of talking to myself and Spot. Amazingly...I rode faster than on my geared bike. That always happens. So, I've confirmed my conclusion that I always knew. GEARS MAKE ME LAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I knew that I had gotten a little slack on the flats...not pushing as hard as I could. I knew that I was loafing a little. Yes, because I didn't have that "I feel like I'm gonna throw up" feeling inside often. But, yesterday I remembered what that feeling felt like and I knew I had to shape up.



But, my ride was still pleasant and fun! My legs aren't too sore today, but I know that in order to continue growing as a rider and getting stronger and faster, I am going to have to get out there and ride Spot more often. I think I need to alternate between him and MUTT.



If you'll remember...last winter I was riding 30 miles on Spot. Yes, one gear...30 miles! Off road! Gears have ruined me. And, imagine if I had 30 gears like some people. I only have 9 on MUTT, which is too many for me! I think I'm going to change out my back sprocket on MUTT to make the gearing a little tougher. Correction...I'm going to ask Dynamo to change it out!

The simplicity of yesterday's ride was awesome. I caught myself several times moving my thumb to shift, but then realizing quickly instead of shifting I had to pedal pedal or stand! There's no resting on a SS! It's just easier to keep pedaling and keep the momentum going. Otherwise, the big 29 inch tires will feel like a ton of bricks to get moving again!



Many thanks to my Dynamo for getting Spot back out there! He's quite the bike builder! We did build Spot up piece by piece. As it always goes in the swapping of parts...I ended up with a sweet component for my MUTT....I got Dynamo's fork from his MCR!! He says I always make out good in these exchanges. It used to be that he would be able to sell things as he swapped, but now that we are both riding, I'm always willing to take the "hand-me-downs"! So, finally, we have all 6 bikes ready to roll! Remember...there's a bike for every purpose. And, the MCR frame will be going up for sale soon too...so we'll be all set...FINALLY!! Rome wasn't built in a day!

Mountain Bike Monday - Bon Voyage Salsa

Yesterday I took my possible last ride on "our" Salsa Moto Rapido. Remember that bike? It was another cold ride. But, with the right gear (i.e. Toasti Toes), it really isn't that bad!

The creek was beautiful all iced over!

So, back to the Salsa...Well, it hardly gets ridden. It's like having a Corvette, but never driving it. Ever since I got Spot, my single speed, I've neglected my Salsa. Sure, I've felt bad about it, but Spot has been working well for me since I got him. Rarely do I have trouble with my Spot. You just get on and ride. Not much to think about except when to sit and when to stand.

So, ever since Dynamo and I have been riding our single speeds, we've neglected our geared bikes. It just doesn't make sense for us to have two nice geared bikes, with no one riding them. So, Dynamo's geared bike is being sold in parts by Carytown Bikes on Ebay. Interested? Go check it out!

And, mine may soon be for sale too. Our plan is to build up one geared bike that either of us can ride when, and if, we need gears. Trust me, there are times when gears are needed! I'll share more about the new bike once it arrives. You know I'll be test driving it. It's going to be an awesome color too - Kermit green (we hope)!

So, today was a test for me. I hadn't ridden my geared bike on the trails since mid-summer. I could tell I was much stronger and could ride the hills in higher gears than before. I truly believe that Spot has helped to strengthen my leg muscles.

Inch by inch, day by day, I've gotten stronger. I'm hopeful that this spring and summer will be filled with faster and longer rides. Practice makes perfect.

Happy Monday!

Mountain Bike Monday - Are you with me?

Yesterday, Dynamo and I set out to run some errands on the other side of the river (this means we went to Williamsburg). We live on one side of the James River and W'burg is on the other. We decided to take our bikes with us in hopes of catching a ride at York River State Park. After our errands we ventured to the park, which was packed with people...kids swinging on the swings, people on horseback, walkers, joggers, etc. It was a beautiful afternoon. It's so nice to see people out enjoying the parks and getting fresh air.

We had been to this park before, but it was wintertime and I had my geared bike. I'd never ridden Spot on this trail. Our sights were set on the Marl Ravine Trail. At the entrance to the trail the sign stated that the trail had multiple switchbacks, quick descents, and some advanced terrain. Basically, don't attempt if it is beyond your skill level. This was not a trail for beginners.

This is where I'd like to say that there is a benefit to riding different trails. If you continue to ride the same trails then your body and mind become accustomed to the same terrain. You need to experience new terrain and new challenges. I think that is how you grow as a rider. You become stronger and able to adapt to new situations. You have to choose your line instead of always riding the log and roots the same way. I am not a fan of trying new trails because I like familiarity. I tend to want to go slower on new trails since I don't know what's ahead. But, I need to ride new trails more often. I've got to break out of my box.

The trail began with a newly created, somewhat soft section, which can be tough for me. It's not hard packed, so moving along is a little bumpy and takes a little more umph! The trail was pretty quick, with some serious roots, lots of tight turns (especially uphill turns), and some spots where the edge was really just that...the edge. I tried not to look down. Shortly after we began the ride I was flying down a pretty fast descent with lots of overhanging brush crowding the trail, when I whirled around a turn and had to slam on breaks. There "he" was...about a 3 foot long blacksnake in the middle of this skinny section of trail. Instinct was to stop, so I did, but almost right on top of his head. I got off the bike, kept the bike between myself and Mr. Snake, and backed up slowly. He didn't seem concerned at all...honestly, I don't think he even realized I almost whirled past him. I should've kept going and he wouldn't have known. I'm an idiot I guess! So, Dynamo walked towards him and pushed his bike a little ahead to shoo him onward. He moved so slow...like he didn't have a care in the world. Never once did he curl up to strike. He's probably used to the traffic. After he got a little distance off of the trail Dynamo moved me on and he followed.

I was pretty shaken up by the encounter. I know...he's just a blacksnake...but, I was eye to eye with him. Naturally, after an encounter the entire rest of your ride you're on the lookout for them constantly. So, Dynamo decided to take the lead for the rest of the ride.

This is where he began my training...He told me that if he's standing then I should be too, so I better get my butt off of the seat. The reason for this is that I have a little trouble knowing when to stand...never soon enough on the single speed when I'm going up the hills...especially the steep ones...so I can't always make it up. And, there were some steep ones yesterday. I did pretty good and got up most of the hills, but there were a couple that I was definitely fussing because I didn't have gears! One day I'll get strong enough I'd say. This is where Dynamo said I should be glad he's not Jillian on The Biggest Loser. He said he should've made me go back and do the hill again. He's right...I should've...but at that point I thought I was going to lose my lunch. This ride was definitely a cardio workout.

So, the rest of the ride was Dynamo asking, "Are you with me?" as we rode. My response would be, "I'm here!" He would also say, "I'm up!" and I'd reply, "I'm up!"

He was a good leader. Sometimes I'd have to say, "Pedal, pedal" because I could take the hill faster than he thought I could. All in all...it was a day for him to say, "You did good, hun." It wasn't a "Good ride, hun." kind of day. I think I whined a little too much to be worthy of "Good ride, hun." We did about 8 miles, but it was different terrain. Lots of technical riding, which isn't what I'm used to. I did all of the rocky sections and made it over the many rooty sections. The hills are where I need to focus. I'll go back another day..until then...keep riding...

This pic is of Dynamo crossing a pretty steep downhill with step-like things, then a bridge, then a seriously steep uphill with tight switchbacks.

It's just a ride in the park...

See Spot...

Spot rocks!!! He's been great so far! Our early morning ride on Sunday was great! The weather was good. The bugs were slim to none, which is always a plus! And, to top it off we had someone to blaze the trails before us, so the cobwebs were virtually non-existent! Yippee!!!

On the trail there are many opportunities to "bail." There are lots of opportunities to quit if you want to. Just like in life when the going gets tough you can just give up. Sometimes the signs in life aren't quite as easily recognizable as this one...

But...there are signs. Sure, it gets hot...humid...cold...wet...dirty...etc. But, you have to decide to keep going or give up. But, it does get easier. I've written some about that in the past.

The last few weeks at work have been really stressful. I've even allowed my stress at work to affect my riding. BAD!!! I've been mentally exhausted, which contributes greatly to physical exhaustion. You have to be 100% on the bike. It is dangerous if you aren't thinking about the trail ahead of you. That's what I've loved about biking since I started. There's no time to think about anything but your next move on the trail. For 2 hours or more it's all about the bike. No work...No worries...No stress.

On Sunday we had a great ride! It was awesome! Each ride on Spot gets better! Here's a pic of me going through what they call "Little Moab" on Lakeview 2 at Pocahontas Park.

When I first starting riding this section was the scene of some pretty rough falls. Now...not so bad! It's actually fun!!

Here's a pic of me crossing the stream on Lakeview (sorry for the fuzziness). I have no problem crossing it at the start of the trail, but when we double back at the end I have had some trouble. I've almost got it! Practice makes perfect right?

Here's the stream crossing without me in the picture...

And, here's Dynamo munching on some fig newtons before we tackled Lakeview 2!

 It was like a mushroom forest in the woods. I think the humidity and rain helped! Here's a pic (little fuzzy) of a giant mushroom. We saw all kinds!!

When life gets tough don't be so quick to take the nearest exit! Just think of it as another day in the park.

it finally arrived...

So, when I got back from lunch today it was here. My new surprise was waiting for me here in my office. I love the FedEx man. On time delivery!! Yippee!!

I've been waiting for this box all week. Dynamo has been tracking him from Colorado. Would he ever arrive? My co-workers are probably tired of hearing me talk about him. Well, I'll show you what "he" is on Monday. It will be worth the wait...